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Adrian Meade Dairy Innovation Program

Adrian Meade Dairy Innovation Program

The Adrian Meade Dairy Innovation Program is an exceptional structured workplace learning opportunity each year for up to 12 students who have a strong interest in working in the dairy industry supply chain.

This exciting five-day program shows regional Year 10 and 11 students the entire dairy industry supply chain from paddock to plate. Participants learn about the wide range of careers in the industry, encouraging them to see it as a place where innovative leaders make their careers using the latest technologies. This program demonstrates our optimism about the future and our commitment to encouraging young people from the region to enter the industry.

The program is run once each year during the winter or spring school holidays. Applications are open during March and April each year and students are selected by interview.

The program was created in memory of the late Adrian Meade, a former Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory supplier, director and chairman who was passionate about encouraging students from the region into tertiary education.

Day One of the program includes a comprehensive factory tour and an in-depth look at milk supply, factory production and product quality. Participants then enjoy a four-day supply chain tour that includes visits to farms and service providers, food technology centres, retail markets, Dairy Australia, the Port of Melbourne and tertiary institutions offering agricultural study. The final day at the factory shows students pathways into careers in the industry. At the conclusion of the program, students are allocated a mentor in their dairy career area of interest. The program emphasises leadership in all aspects of the industry and promotes students' leadership skills development.

The program has been very enthusiastically received by students, schools and participating industry partners.